Meeting Minutes

June 13, 2009

Mary Chambers, Chair

Jim Young, Secretary/Treasurer

Bob Steppling updated on the AMSUS Golf outing held on June 9th and thanked those who participated and everyone for helping.

Doug Remeikis, Veterans Administration Liaison

Introduced Lori Golterman, Pharm D., Department of Veterans Affairs, "Center for Medicare Services and the Veterans Administration". This presentation enlightened the audience about a program Lori is developing that will document what pharmacists do. It will document workload and patient encounters. The program focuses on new MTM codes, the pharmacist as an independent provider of care, methods of capturing data, count vs. non-count, and the pharmacist as a billable provider. This is an effort to identify the pharmacist, the patient, the disease state, and how much time was spent. Lori commented that we could support "the pharmacist as a primary provider" concept and if interested, may work with the VA to help set up business models by contacting her.

Doug Remeikis, Veterans Administration Liaison

Introduced Patricia M. Hayes, Ph.D., Chief Consultant, Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group "Evolution of Women’s Health Care in the Veterans Administration". Dr Hayes presented an impressive array of facts related to women in the VA. She discussed the growing number of women in the VA and the fact that many are serving in active duty military positions of combat. She also mentioned the vision of enhanced VA healthcare for women as a priority for the White House administration.

Charlie Hostettler, Department of Defense Liaison

Introduced guests present at the meeting - Colonel Everett McAlister, USAF, BSC, OASD (HA) TRICARE Management Activity; and Colonel Mark Butler, USAF, BSC, Chief Pharmacist for the USAF.

Charlie Hostettler, Department of Defense Liaison

Introduced David Ross, M.D., Director, Clinical Public Health Programs, Veterans Health Administration "VA as an Option for Anti-Viral Development". Dr Ross talked extensively on the VA capabilities and accomplishments with a focus on research and drug development. He was clear that the VA wants to improve access to drug development for our veterans and felt that the VA was underutilized by pharma for research opportunities and stated he was open to being involved with a working group.

Jim Young, Secretary/Treasurer

Introduced CDR John Class, MSC, USN (Ret.), Deputy Director for Government Relations, Co-Advisor Health Committee, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) "An Update from The Military Coalition". CDR Class presented on the role of The Military Coalition and how they interact with Congress. He described many of the accomplishments for 2008 as well as goals set for 2009 and explained the TMC interaction with all beneficiaries. Additionally, he conveyed many of the concerns related to DoD beneficiaries.

Major General George Anderson, USAF (Ret.), AMSUS

Introduced Kathy Huntley and Marybeth Aveni, SLACK, Inc. who talked with us about "AMSUS Exhibits, Advertising & Support Opportunities" as they relate to the upcoming 115th annual AMSUS meeting in St Louis this Fall. In particular, Marybeth addressed why members should exhibit, the benefits of exhibiting, and statistical feedback from previous visitors to the exhibits.
General Anderson also discussed last year’s meeting in San Antonio and provided us with an insight into the 2009 annual meeting for which the Army is the host, comments on Military Medicine, and told us of the AMSUS HQ renovation. General Anderson also commented on CDR Class’ TMC presentation and mentioned that AMSUS is represented on the Health Committee of TMC with Steve Mirick as our representative and we are also well represented with at AMA.

Mary Chambers, Chair, provided morning wrap-up

Lunch in Kenwood/Montrose and Great Falls Rooms

AMSUS SM Business Meeting:

Mary Chambers, Chair, opened the afternoon SM business meeting.

Jim Young, Secretary/Treasurer

Treasurer’s report was read and there were no questions.
There were no corrections or additions to the previously posted minutes for February 2009. There was a motion to accept, a second, and the membership voted to accept the February AMSUS-SM minutes as written.

Mary Chambers, Chair, introduced SM candidate companies:

Asteres, Inc. - Pharmacy automation for the delivery and storage of pharmacy products.
- Approved for membership
Compliance Implementation Services - CIS is a consulting firm specializing in establishing a culture of Compliance for pharmaceutical companies. Their general focus is on Federal Healthcare compliance.
- Approved for membership
Regenesis Biomedical, Inc. - Markets an FDA-cleared medical device that assists with the pain and edema associate with tissue injury/damage.
- Approved for membership
Verathon Medical - Medical devices, including portable ultrasound and video laryngoscopes. Also software and device related accessories.
- Approved for membership

Doug Remeikis, Veterans Administration Liaison, provided a VA update:

Dr. Michael J. Kussman, the Under Secretary for Health for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), has retired from federal service, ending a 37-year government career. There is no appointment for a replacement at this time; however, a commission is proceeding to recommend nominations.
VISN 5 may soon get a new PBM.
Lou Cobuzzi told Doug the VA access policy is still in legal council and he had no idea when it will be available.
There was a request from the floor for a listing of VA facilities that block representative access. Doug will provide this through Diane for distribution.

Charlie Hostettler, Department of Defense Liaison, provided the DoD update:

The pharmacy retail pricing rule deadline has past for signing a pricing agreement.
There was much discussion about the Vendor Credentialing Service, especially as it related to a third party data collection firm. A Group will be formed to look into this issue. Charlie has several names for the Group including Marian Benz, Conard Galloway, and others. If you are interested in serving on this Group, please contact Charlie Hostettler.

Jim Young addressed the Legislative update for Marcus Farbstein, Legislative Liaison:

Pete Chambers, DSCP Working Group

Mike Laird and Pete discussed their talks with DSCP staff and mentioned those issues such as data synchronization and RFID as concerns that are still open.
Pete explained that there were 12 members on the Group but he encouraged even greater involvement.

Mary Chambers, Chair

Discussed whether there should be a Pharmaceutical Research Working Group established based on comments from Dr Ross earlier in the morning and Mike Laird indicated he possibly has someone who could help. There will be more to follow on this.
Carl Jakopec commented about upcoming nominations for those wishing to serve AMSUS-SM in 2010.
Mary commented that some had expressed concern that our speakers were too pharma focused and desired a broader program. All were reminded that the Board was open to suggestions regarding speakers and the entire membership was encouraged to be involved in nominating speakers and topics. After discussion, it was agreed we should provide standing invitations to DoD and VA representatives; Craig Robinson and Geneva Polini are to be invited by Doug Remeikis and Charlie Hostettler respectively.
Wrap-up by Mary Chambers
There being no further new business, there was a motion and second to adjorn.

The meeting was adjourned at 2 PM

Upcoming Meetings

2009 Meetings

Note: All meetings will be held at the Bethesda Marriott during 2009 and room block information will is posted on the AMSUS website.

< Prev		Next >